Using Ounce Equivalents for Grains in the Child and Adult Care Food Program Grains Are an Important Part of Meals in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

Food and Nutrition Service

Using Ounce Equivalents for Grains in the Child and Adult Care Food Program Grains are an important part of meals in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). To make sure children and adults get enough grains at CACFP meals and snacks, required amounts for the grains component are listed in the meal pattern as ounce equivalents (oz. eq.). Ounce equivalents tell you the amount of grain in a portion of food. How Much Is 1 Ounce Equivalent?

20 cheese crackers 12 thin wheat crackers 5 woven whole-wheat crackers (1” by 1”) = 1 oz. eq. (1 1/4” by 1 1/4”)= 1 oz. eq. (1 ½” by 1 ½”) = 1 oz. eq.

Using the Grains Measuring Chart The Grains Measuring Chart on pages 2-4 tells you how much of a grain item you need to serve to meet CACFP meal pattern requirements. To use this chart: Find the grain you want to serve under Find the column for the age of your 1 the “Grain Item and Size” column. 3 participants and the meal or snack you are serving. This column lists the amount of Check if the chart lists a size or weight a grain you will need to serve to meet the 2 by the name of the grain. If the chart: meal pattern requirement for grains.

1- through 5-year-olds Lists a weight for the grain, such as at least Adults at Breakfast, at Breakfast, Lunch, 56 grams, then use the Nutrition Facts label Lunch, Supper Supper, Snack for the item you want to serve to make sure it weighs the same, or more than, the grain on Serve at Least Serve at Least 2 oz. , the chart. See page 5. Grain Item and Size ½ oz. eq., which equals eq., which equals about… about… Does not list a weight or size for the grain, Pita Bread/Round then you do not need to check the size or (whole grain-rich or enriched) ¼ pita or 14 grams 1 pita or 56 grams weight of the product before using the chart. at least 56 grams* Lists a size for the grain, such as about Popcorn 1 ½ cups or 14 grams 6 cups or 56 grams 1 ¼” by 1 ½”, then check if the item is the Pretzel, Hard, Mini-Twist cup) 27 twists (~1 cup) 7 twists or 11 grams ⅔ same size, or larger than, this amount. (about 1 ¼” by 1 ½”)** or 44 grams See page 6. 61 sticks (~1 cup) or 44 grams

More training, menu planning, and nutrition education materials for the 1 pretzel or 56 grams CACFP can be found at https://teamnutrition.usda.gov. 1 cup cooked or 56 grams dry Rice Cake 1 ½ cakes or 11 grams 3 cakes or 22 grams 5 ½ cakes or 44 grams at least 8 grams* Rice Cake, Mini 7 cakes or 11 grams 14 cakes or 22 grams 28 cakes or 44 grams (about 1 ½” across)** Taco or Tostada Shell, Hard 1 shell or 14 grams 2 shells or 28 grams 4 shells or 56 grams at least 14 grams* Tortilla, Soft, Corn 1 tortilla or 14 grams 2 tortillas or 28 grams 3 tortillas or 56 grams (about 6”)** Tortilla, Soft, Flour ½ tortilla or 14 grams 1 tortilla or 28 grams 2 tortillas or 56 grams (about 6”)** Tortilla, Soft, Flour ¼ tortilla or 14 grams ½ tortilla or 28 grams 1 tortilla or 56 grams (about 8”)** Waffle at least ½ waffle or 17 grams 1 waffle or 34 grams 2 waffles or 68 grams 34 grams* Grains Measuring Chart for the Child and Adult Care Food Program Age Group and Meal

6- through 18-year-olds 1- through 5-year-olds at Breakfast, Lunch, Adults at Breakfast, at Breakfast, Lunch, Supper, Snack Lunch, Supper Supper, Snack Adults at Snack only

Grain Item and Size Serve at Least Serve at Least Serve at Least ½ oz. eq., which equals 1 oz. eq., which equals 2 oz. eq., which about… about… equals about… Bagel (entire bagel) ¼ bagel or 14 grams ½ bagel or 28 grams 1 bagel or 56 grams at least 56 grams* Bagel, Mini (entire bagel) ½ bagel or 14 grams 1 bagel or 28 grams 2 bagels or 56 grams at least 28 grams* Biscuit at least 28 grams* ½ biscuit or 14 grams 1 biscuit or 28 grams 2 biscuits or 56 grams Bread (whole grain-rich or ½ slice or 14 grams 1 slice or 28 grams 2 slices or 56 grams enriched) at least 28 grams* Bun or Roll (entire bun ½ bun/roll or 14 grams 1 bun/roll or 28 grams 2 buns/rolls or 56 grams or roll) at least 28 grams* Cereal Grains (barley, ¼ cup cooked or ½ cup cooked or 1 cup cooked or bulgur, quinoa, etc.) 14 grams dry 28 grams dry 56 grams dry Cereal, Ready-to-Eat: ½ cup or 14 grams 1 cup or 28 grams 2 cups or 56 grams Flakes or Rounds Cereal, Ready-to-Eat: cup or 14 grams ¼ cup or 28 grams ½ cup or 56 grams Granola ⅛ Cereal, Ready-to-Eat: ¾ cup or 14 grams 1 ¼ cup or 28 grams 2 ½ cups or 56 grams Puffed Corn Muffin ½ muffin or 17 grams 1 muffin or 34 grams 2 muffins or 68 grams at least 34 grams* Cracker, Animal 30 crackers (~1 cup) 8 crackers or 14 grams 15 crackers or 28 grams (about 1 ½” by 1”)** or 56 grams Cracker, Bear-Shaped, 12 crackers (~¼ cup) 24 crackers (~½ cup) 48 crackers (~1 cup) Sweet (about 1” by ½”)** or 14 grams or 28 grams or 56 grams Cracker, Cheese, Square, 20 crackers (~ cup) 40 crackers (~ cup) 10 crackers or 11 grams ⅓ ⅔ Savory (about 1” by 1”)** or 22 grams or 44 grams Cracker, Fish-Shaped 21 crackers (~¼ cup) 41 crackers (~½ cup) 81 crackers (~1 cup) or Similar, Savory or 11 grams or 22 grams or 44 grams (about ¾” by ½”)**

*Check that the item you want to serve weighs this amount, or more. See “Using the Nutrition Facts Label” on page 5 for more information. ! **Check that the item you want to serve is about this size or larger. See “Grains Measuring Tools” on page 6 for more information. -2- Grains Measuring Chart for the Child and Adult Care Food Program Age Group and Meal

6- through 18-year-olds 1- through 5-year-olds at Breakfast, Lunch, Adults at Breakfast, at Breakfast, Lunch, Supper, Snack Lunch, Supper Supper, Snack Adults at Snack only

Grain Item and Size Serve at Least Serve at Least Serve at Least ½ oz. eq., which equals 1 oz. eq., which equals 2 oz. eq., which equals about… about… about… Cracker, Graham 1 cracker or 14 grams 2 crackers or 28 grams 4 crackers or 56 grams (about 5” by 2 ½”)** Cracker, Round, Savory 4 crackers or 11 grams 7 crackers or 22 grams 14 crackers or 44 grams (about 1 ¾” across)** Cracker, Saltine 4 crackers or 11 grams 8 crackers or 22 grams 16 crackers or 44 grams (about 2” by 2”)** Cracker, Thin Wheat, Square, Savory 6 crackers or 11 grams 12 crackers or 22 grams 23 crackers or 44 grams (about 1 ¼” by 1 ¼”)** Cracker, Woven Whole- Wheat, Square, Savory 3 crackers or 11 grams 5 crackers or 22 grams 10 crackers or 44 grams (about 1 ½” by 1 ½”)** Croissant ½ croissant or 17 grams 1 croissant or 34 grams 2 croissants or 68 grams at least 34 grams* English Muffin (top and ¼ muffin or 14 grams ½ muffin or 28 grams 1 muffin or 56 grams bottom) at least 56 grams* French Toast Stick 2 sticks or 35 grams 4 sticks or 69 grams 8 sticks or 138 grams at least 18 grams* ¼ cup cooked or ½ cup cooked or 1 cup cooked or Grits 14 grams dry 28 grams dry 56 grams dry Melba Toast 2 pieces or 11 grams 5 pieces or 22 grams 8 pieces or 44 grams (about 3 ½” by 1 ½”)** Muffin and Quick Bread ½ muffin/slice or 1 muffin/slice or 2 muffins/slices or (banana, etc.) 28 grams 55 grams 110 grams at least 55 grams* ¼ cup cooked or ½ cup cooked or 1 cup cooked or Oatmeal 14 grams dry 28 grams dry 56 grams dry Pancake ½ pancake or 17 grams 1 pancake or 34 grams 2 pancakes or 68 grams at least 34 grams*

*Check that the item you want to serve weighs this amount, or more. See “Using the Nutrition Facts Label” on page 5 for more information. ! **Check that the item you want to serve is about this size or larger. See “Grains Measuring Tools” on page 6 for more information. -3- Grains Measuring Chart for the Child and Adult Care Food Program Age Group and Meal

6- through 18-year-olds 1- through 5-year-olds at Breakfast, Lunch, Adults at Breakfast, at Breakfast, Lunch, Supper, Snack Lunch, Supper Supper, Snack Adults at Snack only

Grain Item and Size Serve at Least Serve at Least Serve at Least ½ oz. eq., which equals 1 oz. eq., which equals 2 oz. eq., which equals about… about… about… Pasta (whole grain-rich ¼ cup cooked or ½ cup cooked or 1 cup cooked or or enriched, all shapes) 14 grams dry 28 grams dry 56 grams dry Pita Bread/Round (whole grain-rich ¼ pita or 14 grams ½ pita or 28 grams 1 pita or 56 grams or enriched) at least 56 grams* Popcorn 1 ½ cups or 14 grams 3 cups or 28 grams 6 cups or 56 grams Pretzel, Hard, Mini-Twist 7 twists (~⅓ cup) 14 twists (~⅔ cup) 27 twists (~1 cup) (about 1 ¼” by 1 ½”)** or 11 grams or 22 grams or 44 grams Pretzel, Hard, Thin Stick 16 sticks or 11 grams 31 sticks or 22 grams 62 sticks or 44 grams (about 2 ½” long)** Pretzel, Soft ¼ pretzel or 14 grams ½ pretzel or 28 grams 1 pretzel or 56 grams at least 56 grams* ¼ cup cooked ½ cup cooked 1 cup cooked Rice (all types) or 14 grams dry or 28 grams dry or 56 grams dry Rice Cake 1 ½ cakes or 11 grams 3 cakes or 22 grams 5 ½ cakes or 44 grams at least 8 grams* Rice Cake, Mini 7 cakes or 11 grams 13 cakes or 22 grams 25 cakes or 44 grams (about 1 ¾” across)** Taco or Tostada Shell, 1 shell or 14 grams 2 shells or 28 grams 4 shells or 56 grams Hard at least 14 grams* Tortilla, Soft, Corn ¾ tortilla or 14 grams 1 ¼ tortillas or 28 grams 2 ½ tortillas or 56 grams (about 5 ½”)** Tortilla, Soft, Flour ½ tortilla or 14 grams 1 tortilla or 28 grams 2 tortillas or 56 grams (about 6”)** Tortilla, Soft, Flour ¼ tortilla or 14 grams ½ tortilla or 28 grams 1 tortilla or 56 grams (about 8”)** Waffle ½ waffle or 17 grams 1 waffle or 34 grams 2 waffles or 68 grams at least 34 grams*

*Check that the item you want to serve weighs this amount, or more. See “Using the Nutrition Facts Label” on page 5 for more information. ! **Check that the item you want to serve is about this size or larger. See “Grains Measuring Tools” on page 6 for more information. -4- Using the Nutrition Facts Label Some items on the Grains Measuring Chart may have weights listed by the name of the item. Follow the steps below to see if your grain meets the minimum weight listed in the chart:

Find the grain item and its Age Group and Meal 1 minimum weight in the 6- through 18-year- 1- through 5-year- Grains Measuring Chart. olds at Breakfast, Adults at Breakfast, olds at Breakfast, Lunch, Supper, Snack Lunch, Supper Lunch, Supper, Snack For example, the minimum Adults at Snack only weight for a pancake is at Grain Item Serve at Least Serve at Least Serve at Least least 34 grams. ½ oz. eq., which 1 oz. eq., which 2 oz. eq., which and Size equals about… equals about… equals about… Pancake ½ pancake or 1 pancake or 2 pancakes at least 34 grams* 17 grams 34 grams or 68 grams

Look at the Nutrition Facts label of the grain you wish to serve. Find the weight of the serving 2 size (usually provided as grams (g)). One serving of Brand P pancakes weighs 117 grams.

Using the Nutrition Facts label, find how many items are Brand P Pancakes 3 in one serving. There are three pancakes in one serving of Nutrition Facts Brand P pancakes. 4 servings per container Serving size 3 Pancakes (117g)

If there is more than one of an item in a serving, you will Amount per serving 4 need to divide to find the weight of each item. For example, Calories 280 the serving size of Brand P pancakes is three pancakes. % Daily Value* Total Fat 12% Divide the serving weight by the number of items in one 9g Saturated Fat 1.5g 8% serving to find the weight of each item. Trans Fat 0g

117 grams ÷ 3 pancakes = 39 grams per pancake Serving Weight Serving Size Weight of Each Item

Compare the weight of one item to the minimum weight listed in the Grains Measuring Chart (from Step 1). Is your item the same weight as, or heavier than, the minimum weight? Yes: Use the Grains Measuring Chart to see how much of your grain to serve to meet CACFP meal pattern ü requirements. In the example above, pancakes must weigh at least 34 grams in order to use the Grains Measuring Chart. Because each Brand P pancake weighs 39 grams, you may use the chart as a guide to the minimum serving amount. No: Use another method to determine how much of a grain ✗ item to serve. See “What If My Grain Is Different?” on page 6 for more information.

-5- Are There Other Menu Planning Considerations? If you serve an item that is larger, or weighs more, than what’s listed on the Grains Measuring Chart, then you might serve more grains than required by the CACFP meal pattern. The Grains Measuring Chart can help make serving enough grains easier. However, the tools described under “What If My Grain Is Different?” can also help you determine how much of an item to serve to meet the meal pattern without serving more than what is needed.

What If My Grain Is Different? Is the grain item you want to serve: • Smaller than the item listed on the Grains Measuring Chart? • Lighter in weight than the item listed on the Grains Measuring Chart? • Not listed on the Grains Measuring Chart? If so, you will need to use another way to tell how much to serve in order to meet CACFP meal pattern requirements. You could: • Enter information from the Nutrition Facts label into the Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Program’s (FBG) Exhibit A Grains Tool.* This tool will let you know how many ounce equivalents of grains are in one serving of the item. • Use the FBG Recipe Analysis Workbook (RAW)* to determine the ounce equivalents per serving for standardized recipes. *Available at https://foodbuyingguide.fns.usda.gov.

Grains Measuring Tools Compare your food to the guides below to see if it is the same size or larger than the item listed on the Grains Measuring Chart. Guides appear as actual size when this worksheet is printed at 100% on standard 8 ½” by 11” paper.

2” by 2” square 1 ¾” round across 1” by 1” square

0 1” 2” 3” 4” 5” 6” 7” 8”

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